It had been nearly three years since my brother and I arrived at the mansion. And, if I was being honest, I didn't regret it in the slightest. That house, which at first seemed too vast and silent, ended up giving me something I hadn't expected: new people to cherish.
Among them was the cook, who insisted on preparing "special" dishes for me whenever I praised his food, as if my words were a direct pass to his inspiration. And then there was Philip, who, ever since Eris's tenth birthday, had started addressing her and me in... strange ways.
He said things like, "A future lord would need a strong wife," or "You two look good together."
I didn't pay it much mind, not only because I didn't fully understand his insinuations, but because my attention was focused elsewhere.
Rudeus had improved impressively in his handling of the Shockwave; he now far surpassed Eris, who had reached the Advanced rank. For her, that had become a strange mix of motivation and frustration... and for me, two reasons to keep supporting her. Once, I tried to cheer her up:
"Eris, listen... My brother is talented, yes, no one can deny that. But you shouldn't feel bad about it. In life, there will always be someone with talent, but that isn't an obstacle; on the contrary, it's a reason to strive harder."
"You've improved tremendously, more than you even realize. If you keep this up... who knows? Maybe one day you'll master the Shockwave and end up surpassing my brother in speed and strength. And believe me, that isn't as far off as you think."
Surprisingly, she hugged me. It was a brief gesture, almost clumsy, but full of that strength so typical of her. Then she pulled away with her arms up and her fist clenched. That could only mean one thing: she had accepted my words... and she was ready to keep going. She didn't say anything else; she didn't need to.
I also dedicated time, along with my brother, to learning the languages of this new world. Besides the Beast God tongue and the Demon God tongue, I ended up mastering the Fighting God tongue as well.
The languages here weren't that complicated: once you understood one, you could use it as a base to learn the others without much difficulty.
Even so, I couldn't manage to learn the Heaven God or Sea God languages. There was no literature written in them, nor any speakers nearby to practice with. Without references, studying them was simply impossible.
But I wasn't complaining; speaking four languages of this world—in addition to the Japanese, Chinese, English, and Spanish I brought from my previous life—was more than enough. Although, to be honest, those languages from my old world were useless here. In fact, the Chinese was already starting to fade from my memory.
If I ever needed another language, I would learn it when the time came. And if not... that was fine too. Here, I had more urgent problems to solve.
And I... I was ready too. Because Ghislaine Dedoldia wasn't exactly a gentle teacher. Well... a little, yes, but not in the sense one would like.
I spent more time eating dirt than breathing, and I spat blood every time one of her thrusts reached me. The difference between us was abysmal. But I couldn't give up because of that. Not after telling Eris those words. Not after encouraging her to keep going.
Now it was my turn to prove that I could do it too.
I tried to parry her attack, tilting my sword to redirect the trajectory... but I reacted an instant too late.
Ghislaine was already on top of me.
"Slow!" she spat, without losing rhythm.
Her wooden sword descended in a clean arc. I barely managed to turn; by then, she had already hit me in the ribs.
The impact lifted my feet off the ground and sent me flying backward.
I let go of my sword instantly—if I held onto it, I'd dislocate my shoulder—and tried to regain control.
My landing was a disaster.
The inertia alone dragged me backward in an exaggerated fashion. I tried to brake by digging my fingers into the dirt, but that only made my hand burn from the friction.
Even so, the momentum carried me several meters.
I didn't manage to stop completely, though I managed to avoid the worst of the impact... my heels slammed against the wall.
The blow shook me completely; the sensation was like a lash of electricity running down my spine and branching out through every nerve.
[CRITICAL IMPACT...]
[...Daiki...]
I ignored the strange error in the report. I concentrated on the mana.
Green light shone from my palm, healing me completely.
"Again."
I said, wiping a thread of blood from my mouth.
The training had reached a stalemate.
"No!" Ghislaine shouted. "You're still hesitating!"
I panted, stepping back.
"I'm analyzing the trajectory..."
"Analyze before!" she corrected me. "The Sword God Style isn't stupid, Daiki. One must always think... But you... you analyze while you move. That makes you slow."
She adopted her stance.
"The 'Longsword of Light' allows for no corrections. The moment your feet push off the ground, the decision is already made. Your mind and your sword must arrive at the target at the same time."
"I understand..." I murmured.
I didn't have to turn off my brain (Analysis). I had to accelerate it. I had to finish the calculation before my body started to move.
Hardly a few weeks had passed since that lesson, and I was still thinking too much. Yes, it was necessary... of course it was. Even so, I always stagnated in that regard.
Right now, it was raining. I was in the courtyard, standing in front of the dummy.
I closed my eyes and visualized all the variables. I only needed one in particular, and it would be enough...
I concentrated all my mana into my wrists and ankles. Not to move at the speed of sound; I had already done that. I needed something else.
Sword of Light...
My previous name was Luz*.
This technique... was mine.
I opened my eyes.
I didn't think "I'm going to cut." I simply released the energy I had held back.
ZAS!
There was a flash.
By the time I realized it, I was already behind the dummy, sword extended at the end of the arc.
CRACK.
The dummy split in two halves.
The wood wasn't just split: it was charred, burned by the explosive friction of the strike.
I stood motionless, stunned, watching the smoke that still rose even under the rain, as if refusing to be extinguished.
Ghislaine stepped out of the shadows.
She approached and touched the burnt wood.
I expected a lesson or something, but she simply looked at me with a wild smile.
"Congratulations. You are now a Sword Saint."
And just like that, I officially became Saint Rank... It felt strange. I had believed, for a moment, that I wouldn't make it out of Advanced, and that eventually, Eris might surpass me. I often let myself get carried away by my thoughts, but this time it felt earned, and I was happier than I let on.
Because, beneath this analytical gaze, was Hikari: my past self, the one who believed every achievement was unjustified. And the worst part is that, back then, he was right...
But now I had the approval of an experienced warrior and adventurer.
And the next day, like always, whenever Eris trained with Ghislaine, she challenged me.
"Today I'm actually going to beat you!" she shouted, launching herself at me with her usual fury.
She tried to pivot, seeking to confuse me with feints. Yes, she was strong. She had improved immensely since our first duel and had reached the Advanced rank. She was now faster than my brother at close range, although he still held the advantage of being able to create space whenever he wanted.
When I tried to dodge her thrust, I felt a strange sensation... an automatic anticipation. I crouched and struck her palm hard, making her drop her sword. The moment it fell to the ground and she tried to scramble to recover it, I took the opportunity to move and stop my attack a centimeter from her face.
I had her sword in my hand.
Eris froze.
"H-how...?" she stammered, confused. "Yesterday I almost got you. Today... I didn't even see you move."
I handed back the sword she took with trembling hands.
"I crossed the wall, Young Eris..." That was all I could say.
When she gripped the sword, it splintered slightly. I expected her to scream... or throw a tantrum.
But she did nothing I anticipated.
The red whirlwind was, in reality, surprisingly calm.
What I called "the eye of the storm." Emphasis on Eye.
"Damn it!" she shouted, but with a wild smile on her face. "Incredible! You're incredible!"
She pointed a finger at me.
"Wait for me! Don't you dare go any further! I'm going to catch up to you! And when I do, I'm going to beat you!"
"I know," I replied with a smile. "And I'll be waiting for you to do so."
She marched off, leaving the broken sword on the ground. Her steps were so heavy that for a moment I thought the ground beneath my feet was trembling. Though, in reality, she was just heading toward Ghislaine to keep training.
"Rest," Ghislaine said, appearing at my side without paying attention to Eris; she needed a breather too. "Your body has to recover. Your muscles aren't made of steel yet..."
"I know. Thank you, Master. When I heal, my muscles will strengthen."
She gave me a brief smile before disappearing again.
I was left alone in the courtyard.
I looked at my calloused hands.
I had achieved my goal.
I was now a Sword Saint.
I looked up toward the window of our room. Rudeus was there, giving me a thumbs-up in approval.
"We did it," I whispered. "I survived the training."
A small smile formed on my face.
"And now..." I closed my eyes, enjoying that moment of calm. "Now there is only one week left until our tenth birthday."
One week to celebrate.
Or perhaps...